This submission was made to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Natural Resources and Agriculture in June 2012. It gives a brief outline of the main scientific issues associated with shale gas extraction in a non-technical way. It is not comprehensive but is meant to provide a basis for discussion by the Committee. GEAI has asked to attend a meeting of the committee to discuss the issues. By Dr. Aedín McLoughlinFracking / Shale Gas Extraction [pdf]